After his intended cross drifted into the far corner to put Spurs in front, Townsend admitted: “It was a cross – I’m not going to take credit for it, but I’ve been unlucky in the past so I’ll take it because it set us on the way to a good three points.

“Obviously scoring for my country on my debut was one of the highlights of my career, but getting my first goal for my ­hometown club is up there.

“It’s been one of the best few weeks of my life but the main thing for me now is not to get carried away and to keep putting in the performances.

“In the first half, every time I got the ball there were a couple of Villa players around me and I turned over possession a couple of times.

“But in the second half they had to go for it, and I’m at my best when I’m counter-attacking. I’ve had some positive press in the last week, but it’s all about playing ­football for me.”

But Spurs’ surge back into title contention, three points behind leaders Arsenal, was marred when linesman Dave Bryan was hit by a smoke bomb thrown by visiting fans moments after Townsend broke the deadlock.

Police last night arrested two fans over the incident and a third was charged with making an “illegal salute”.

An FA spokesman said: “We will investigate this matter, which is unacceptable.”